Scott Spiegel, “Evil Dead II,” “The Rookie” co-writer and executive producer of the “Hostel” franchise, died on Sept. 1. He was 67.
Spiegel was a frequent collaborator with filmmakers Sam Raimi, Boaz Yakin, Eli Roth and Quentin Tarantino. After co-writing “Evil Dead II,” which premiered in 1987, Spiegel went on to direct his first feature, “Intruder,” in 1989.
Spiegel also co-wrote the 1990 film “The Rookie” with Yakin that starred Clint Eastwood. His other film credits include executive producing the “Hostel” horror franchise with Roth, directing “Hostel: Part III” and the 2004 reimagining of “My Name Is Modesty.”
Additionally, he made cameo appearances in Raimi’s “Spider-Man” (2002), “Spider-Man 2” (2004) and Drag Me to Hell (2009). He also lent his voice for an appearance in “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” (2022).
A Michigan native, Spiegel was a fan of cinema since childhood. He began making films in middle and high school with his friends and frequent collaborators like Raimi, actor Bruce Campbell, producer and director John Cameron and director Josh Becker.
Raimi paid tribute to his longtime friend, recalling their time spent together making films at an early age.
“The moment the teacher was out of the room, Scott would stand up and precisely imitate their voice and mannerisms, cracking up the class,” he said in a statement. “More than anything, he wanted to make people laugh. And he was so good at doing it. Even as a kid, he was always working to provide a good life for his family. I remember that every Saturday, before shooting a Super 8 together, he first had to finish his work at Walnut Lake market, stocking shelves to pay his family’s bills.”
In the early 1990s, he introduced producer Lawrence Bender to Tarantino, who helped get Tarantino’s “Reservoir Dogs” made.
In a statement, Roth talked about his experience working with Spiegel on the “Hostel” franchise and as co-founder of their Raw Nerve production company.
“Scottie was one of the funniest, warmest, most generous people I ever had the good fortune to call a friend,” he said. “He taught me so much about directing and was the best I’ve ever met at coming up with visual gags and puns. So many directors talk about the ‘Scotty Spiegel shot’ or a ‘Scotty edit’ when you cut to a gag. Some of the most fun times of my life were spent at Scotty’s apartment, which was also a museum of ancient candy and defunct cereal. I will miss him dearly and think of him every time I film a crazy P.O.V.”
Spiegel is survived by two brothers and his niece.